Jose Mourinho Right to Promote Ruben Loftus-Cheek over Paul Pogba Move

When Chelsea won the FA Youth Cup last season, the question was the same as always.

How many of those young stars who featured that night would actually go on to become first-team players at Stamford Bridge?

Almost a year on, we're beginning to get our answer.

"I think Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] will be a player to play and compete directly for a position," Jose Mourinho explained to reporters on Friday ahead of his team's trip to Hull City.

"I don't do it now as it's a moment to protect him. We think it's best to go with players with more experience at this time.

"[...] Next season I expect [Ruben] not to play a few times. I expect him to play and compete."

Given Chelsea are locked in a pursuit of the Premier League title, it's the logical move from the Chelsea manager to look beyond the here and now with blooding youth.

The method is clear. His rationale doesn't need explaining.

It's encouraging, too.

Loftus-Cheek captained that 2014 FA Youth Cup-winning team, and after a year on the fringes, he's now on the brink of getting his chance.

Mourinho went so far as to suggest, with Loftus-Cheek on the scene, Chelsea will not be joining the expected summer scramble for Paul Pogba's signature, either.

They don't need to.

"I don’t speak about Pogba or other players," he continued.

"The only thing I can tell you is that we look to our midfield players and between [Cesc] Fabregas, [Nemanja] Matic, Ramires, Ruben—[John Obi] Mikel is injured—but between these guys we have a good group.

"Next season, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be competing for a first-team position."

So far as statements go, it's a bold one. Even for the Chelsea manager.

Pogba is a player who has set Europe alight since his move to Serie A from Manchester United three years ago, and the consensus is that his presence would strengthen any team.

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The Frenchman was at the same stage of his career to where Loftus-Cheek finds himself now.

He was on the fringes at Old Trafford, raring to take his opportunity. When it wasn't forthcoming, however, he departed for Juventus and has since become one of the continent's hottest properties.

Where United failed, perhaps Chelsea have learned.

Indeed, Pogba is the exact player Louis van Gaal's side have craved this season. They've needed someone to compete in the midfield, an all-rounder who can get at the opposition and cause problems, but also function defensively.

Outside of Matic, Chelsea need the same presence. Loftus-Cheek is the answer, and Chelsea are clearly not going to let him become their own expensive mistake—the one who got away.

Aside from the financial implications of promoting Loftus-Cheek in the way Mourinho suggests he is preparing to do, it's a decision that has far wider reaching consequences.

The criticism of Chelsea this past decade is that youth has never been given a chance. The club have thrived on mega signings, players who have arrived in west London as the finished article.

Regardless of what their youngsters have achieved, how could an up-and-coming striker compete with a £50 million signing?

We've seen proof with how Chelsea have conducted their transfer business in more recent times that things are changing. The balance sheet is taken more seriously in these days of financial fair play.

And with it, so too is the academy.

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Mourinho has spoken in glowing terms of others in the junior ranks. Aged just 17, Dominic Solanke has made his Champions League debut this term, while Izzy Brown, Nathan Ake, Andreas Christensen and Lewis Baker have featured on the bench or featured in cup games.

Kurt Zouma isn't a Chelsea academy product, yet his emergence since the turn of the year is another encouraging sign of how Chelsea have reassessed their focus for the future.

The Frenchman is young, he's raw, but it hasn't stopped him getting game time to become a big part of what Chelsea have achieved already this term.

It's going to be a gradual process, but the young players are beginning to be integrated. They're breaking through and Loftus-Cheek is a sign of where Chelsea are headed.

That Mourinho is so willing to publicly rule himself out of the race for Pogba should give every young player at Stamford Bridge a confidence boost that if they're good enough, the Chelsea boss will support them.

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Mourinho's whole demeanour seemed to suggest those days of signing big names to prolong Chelsea's longevity are gone.

The club is looking from within now. As ludicrous as it may sound, there isn't even room for Pogba.

Chelsea are investing in their own stars.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes